Seat arrangement

ABSTRACT

A seat arrangement in a motor vehicle includes an adjustable latch and a rigid striker having spaced first and second striker portions. The latch includes a rotatable cam cooperating with the striker and an elongate slider biased towards a cam surface of the cam. A first portion of the slider engages the cam surface and a second portion of the slider is manually retractable away form the cam surface against a biasing force. The cam has first and second slots such that in a first position of a back rest of the seat the first striker portion engages the first slot to effect locking of the back rest in a first position, and in a second position of the back rest the second striker portion engages the second slot to effect locking of the back rest in a second position.

The present invention relates to a seat arrangement in a motor vehicle,such as a car, and particularly in a rear of a motor vehicle.

It is well known to provide a seat arrangement in the rear of a motorvehicle in which the seat arrangement has a back rest which can besecurely latched in a partly reclined position for normal use by one ormore passengers and can be folded forwards and downwards onto acushioned base of the seat arrangement to provide access to a boot spacebehind the seat arrangement.

It is desirable to provide a seat arrangement which can additionally beused by passengers with the back rest in a less-inclined or uprightposition, thereby increasing the available boot space behind the seatarrangement. Attempts to achieve such an arrangement have involved meanssuch as two interlocking fingers. However these have been found to beprone to distortion and to be unsatisfactory in meeting crash testrequirements.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or minimise thisproblem.

According to the present invention there is provided a seat arrangementin a motor vehicle, particularly in a rear thereof, comprising a baseand a back rest which is pivotable at a lower region thereof to providea selected angle of inclination thereof, including adjustable latchingmeans adapted to be secured to a first member in the form of an upperregion of at least one side of the back rest or to at least one bodypart of the vehicle and a rigid striker means having spaced first andsecond striker portions and adapted to be secured to a second member inthe form of the other of the back rest and the body part, the adjustablelatching means comprising: a rotatable cam member cooperating with thestriker means; an elongate slider slidably secured to the first memberand biased towards a cam surface of the cam member such that a firstportion of the slider engages the cam surface, a second portion of theslider being adapted for manual retraction of the slider away from thecam surface against the biassing force; the cam member further havingfirst and second slots such that in a first position of the back restthe first striker portion of the striker means engages the first slot,with the cam member orientated such that the first portion of the slideralso engages the first slot to effect locking of the back rest in thisfirst position; and in a second position of the back rest the secondstriker portion of the striker means engages the second slot, with thecam member orientated such that the first portion of the slider alsoengages the second slot to effect locking of the back rest in thissecond position.

In the first position of the back rest, the back rest may be secured ata full extent of backwards inclination; and in the second position ofthe back rest, the back rest may be secured in a generally uprightorientation.

The first and second slots may be provided in the cam surface of the cammember. The cam surface may comprise an edge of the cam member.

The cam surface may have stop means for contacting the first portion ofthe slider to limit rotation of the cam member. Thus, in a thirdposition of the back rest, with the adjustable latching means free fromcontact with the striker means, the first portion of the slider contactsthe stop means. In the third position of the back rest, the back restmay be folded forwards towards the base. The stop means may comprise aprotrusion on the edge of the cam member.

Manual retraction of the slider may be effective to disengage the firstportion of the slider from the first slot to allow the back rest to bemoved from either of the first and second positions, for example towardsthe other of the second and first positions or the third position.

The cam member may be spring-biased to create friction tending to resistrotation of the cam member.

The first and second slots in the cam member may be stepped whereby aninner portion thereof for accommodating the first or second strikerportion of the striker means is narrower than an associated outerportion thereof for accommodating the first portion of the slider, oneor more shoulders being provided at the interface between the inner andouter portions for engagement by a leading edge of the first portion ofthe slider.

The slider may be slidably accommodated in bearing or housing meanssecured to the first member.

The slider and/or the bearing and/or the housing means may be coatedwith a plastics, or other suitable, material, to facilitate sliding.

Indicating means may be provided, associated with the slider, forindicating engagement, or otherwise, of the slider with the first orsecond slots and hence whether or not the back rest is securely latched.

An interlock may be provided between the slider and a seat beltmechanism to prevent use of the seat belt unless the seat is securelylocked in position.

The cam member may be rotatably mounted on a bolt means, such bolt meanspassing through a hole in the cam member and secured relative to (to orin) the first member.

The cam member may comprise a metal, such as steel, or a suitable alloy.The cam member may be coated with a plastics material to prevent orreduce rattles.

The adjustable latching means may be provided at one or both sides ofthe first member.

The striker means may comprise an elongate striker loop having first andsecond opposed end regions or a plurality of striker pins.

By means of the present invention a seat arrangement can be provided inthe rear of a motor vehicle, such as a car, and where in addition to theback rest being securely latchable in a normal inclined position andfoldable downwardly onto a base portion to provide open access to rearboot space, the back rest is also securely latchable in an intermediateposition, such as a substantially vertical position, to provide usefulextension of the boot space while permitting safe use of the seatarrangement by one or more passengers.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show more clearly howit may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way ofexample, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a seat arrangement according to the presentinvention in a motor vehicle; and

FIG. 2 is a plan view of adjustable latching means for use in the seatarrangement of FIG. 1.

A seat arrangement 2 for use in the rear of a motor vehicle,particularly a car, has a cushioned base 4 and a back rest 6. The backrest 6 is pivotable at a lower region 8 thereof to provide a selectedangle of inclination thereof.

The back rest 6 is provided at one or, more preferably, both sidesthereof with adjustable latching means 10, as shown in detail in FIG. 2.The latching means 10 comprises a cam member in the form of a cam-likeplate 12, such as of steel or other suitable metal or metal alloy, whichis rotatably secured to an upper side region 14 of the back rest 6.Means, such as a pin or a bolt 16 passing through a hole in the cam-likeplate 12 and into the back rest 6, is provided to rotatably secure thecam-like plate 12 to the upper side region 14 of the back rest 6.

The cam-like plate 12 is arranged to cooperate with an elongate rigidstriker loop 18, suitably formed of steel, and having first and secondspaced striker portions in the form of opposed end regions 20 and 22respectively. The striker loop 18 is rigidly secured to a body part (notshown) of the motor vehicle. It should be noted the striker loop couldbe replaced by other suitable striker means, such as striker pinsrigidly secured to a body part of the vehicle.

The latching means 10 includes an elongate slider 24 which is slidablysecured to the upper side region 14 of the back rest 6. The slider 24slides in bearings 26 and/or a suitable housing means and isspring-biased by a spring 28 (shown diagrammatically only) towards anedge 30 of the cam-like plate 12. A first portion of the slider 24 inthe form of end 32 engages the edge 30 of the cam-like plate 12 and asecond portion of the slider in the form of end 34 is adapted to bemanually gripped by a user to retract the slider 24 away from the edge30 of the cam-like plate 12 against the bias of the spring 28, whenadjustment of the position of the back rest 6 is required. The slider 24and/or the bearings 26 may be coated with a plastic, or other suitablematerial, to facilitate sliding.

A compression spring 36 is provided for cooperating with the cam-likeplate 12 to create a certain amount of friction so as to preventunwanted rotation of the cam-like plate.

A stop, comprising a protrusion 40, is provided on the edge of thecam-like plate 12 and is arranged to contact the first end 32 of theslider 24 to limit rotation of the cam-like plate 12.

The cam-like plate has a first slot 44 and a second slot 42 provided inthe edge thereof and spaced apart from one another and from theprotrusion 40. The slots 42, 44 are stepped to provide inner and outerportions of different widths. The slot 42 has an inner portion 42A whichis narrower than an outer portion 42B, the portions being separated by ashoulder 42C. Likewise, the slot 44 has inner and outer portions 44A and44B respectively and a shoulder 44C.

An intermediate stop 45 is provided between the first and second slots44 and 42 as will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

The latch arrangement is mounted within a housing (not shown) to whichone end of each of the bearings 26 is mounted together with one end ofthe pin 16. The other end of each of the bearings 26 and the other endof the pin 16 are received in a retaining plate 17, showndiagrammatically in FIG. 2. The retaining plate 17 is also received inthe housing (not shown). In this way the opposing ends of the bearings26 and of the pin 16 are securely mounted and are able to withstand verysubstantial forces in the event of an impact.

In a first position 50 of the back rest 6 the end 22 of the striker loop18 is received in the first slot 44 and is retained therein byengagement of the slider 24 in the slot. In the first position the backrest 6 is in a normal, slightly reclined, configuration.

In a second position 48 of the back rest 6 the end 20 of the strikerloop 18 is received in the second slot 42 and is retained therein byengagement of the slider 24 in the slot. In the second position the backrest 6 is in a generally upright configuration.

In a third position 46 of the back rest 6, with the adjustable latchingmeans 10 free from contact with the striker loop 18 and with the backrest 6 suitably folded forward onto the base 4 of the seat arrangement,the first end 32 of the slider 24 contacts the protrusion 40 at the edgeof cam-like plate 12.

As the back rest 6 is lifted from the third position into the secondposition 48 the first end region 20 of the striker loop 18 engages theouter portion 42B of the second slot 42. The cam-like plate 12 isrotated by the striker loop and the first end region 20 of the strikerloop 18 engages the inner portion 42A of the second slot 42. The firstend 32 of the spring-biased slider 24 engages the outer portion 42B ofthe second slot 42 and abuts the shoulder 42C. The back rest 6 isthereby securely locked in this second position 48.

If the first end 32 of the slider 24 is manually retracted from thesecond slot 42, against the bias of the spring 28, by gripping andpulling the second end 34 of the slider 24, the back rest 6 can be movedout of the second position towards the first position 50. As the backrest 6 is pushed out of the second position engagement between the slot42 and the first end 20 of the striker loop 18 causes the cam-like plate12 to rotate and the slider 24 is biased into engagement with theintermediate stop 45. On reaching the second end region 22 of thestriker loop 18, the end region 22 engages the outer portion 44B of thefirst slot 44. The cam-like plate 12 is rotated by the striker loop andthe second end region 22 of the striker loop 18 engages the innerportion 44A of the first slot 44. The first end 32 of the spring-biasedslider 24 engages the outer portion 44B of the first slot 44 and abutsthe shoulder 44C. The back rest 6 is thereby securely locked in thefirst position 50.

To release the back rest 6 from the first position 50 to fold itforwards, the slider 24 is manually lifted. The back rest 6 can then bepulled forward. The second end region 22 of the striker loop 18disengages from the first slot 44 and the slider engages with theintermediate stop 45. The back rest can then be moved forward until itbecomes secured in the second position 48.

To release the back rest 6 from the second position 48 to fold itforwards and downwards into the third position 46, the slider 24 ismanually lifted. The back rest 6 can then be pulled forward, thecam-like plate 12 rotating to disengage the first end region 20 of thestriker loop 18 from the second slot 42. The cam-like plate 12 thenassumes a rest position with the protrusion 40 in contact with the firstend 32 of the slider 24.

As a result of the invention the back rest 6 can be securely latched ina normal inclined (or reclined) position 50 or in a less-inclined(generally upright) position 48. Such less-inclined position 48 providesincreased space in a boot 52 behind the seat arrangement 2, whileallowing safe accommodation of one or more passengers on the seatarrangement 2. The seat arrangement 2 can also be folded down into theposition 46 which allows open access to the boot 52.

Indicating means (not shown) can be provided, associated with the slider24, for indicating engagement, or otherwise, of the slider 24 with thefirst or second slots 44, 42 in the edge of the cam-like plate 12 andhence indicating whether or not the back rest 6 is securely latched.

Additionally, an interlock can be provided between the slider 24 and aseat belt mechanism (not shown) to prevent use of the seat belt unlessthe seat is securely locked in position.

If required a shot bolt arrangement may be incorporated, for examplebetween the seat frame and the vehicle body and/or, more particularly,between adjacent frame portions of a split seat arrangement, to giveadded security and rigidity to the seat frame.

Although the invention has been described with the adjustable latchingmeans secured to the seat back rest and the striker loop attached to apart of the vehicle body, it will be readily apparent the locations ofthese components can be interchanged and the adjustable latching meanscan alternatively be secured to a vehicle body part with the strikerloop attached to the seat back rest.

It will be apparent the seat arrangement could be locked in additionalpositions if desired.

What is claimed is:
 1. A seat arrangement in a motor vehicle,particularly in a rear thereof, comprising a base (4) anti a back rest(6) which is pivotable at a lower region (8) thereof to provide aselected angle of inclination thereof, wherein adjustable latching means(10) is adapted to be secured to a feature selected from a first memberin the form of an upper region (14) of at least one side of the backrest and a least one body part of the vehicle and wherein a rigidstriker means (18) having spaced first and second striker portions (20,22) is adapted to be secured to a second member in the form of the otheror the back rest and the body part, the adjustable hitching means (10)comprising: a rotatable cam member (12) cooperating with the strikermeans (18); an elongate slider (24) slidably secured to the first memberand subject to a biasing force towards a cam surface (30) of the cammember such that a first portion of the slider engages the cam surface,a second portion of the slider being adapted for manual retracting ofthe slider away from the cam surface against the biasing force; the cammember (12) further having first and second slots (44, 42) such that ina first position of the back rest (6) the first striker portion (20) ofthe striker means engages the first slot (44), with the cam member (12)orientated such that the first portion of the slider also engages thefirst slot (44) to effect locking of the back rest in the firstposition: and in a second position of the back rest (6) the secondstriker portion (22) of the striker means engages the second slot (42),with the cam member (12) orientated such that the first portion of theslider also engages the second slot (42) to effect locking of the backrest (6) in the second position.
 2. A seat arrangement as claimed inclaim 1, wherein, in the first position of the back rest (6), the backrest is secured at a full extent of backwards inclination; and in thesecond position of the back rest, the back rest is secured in agenerally upright orientation.
 3. A scat arrangement as claimed in claim1, wherein the first and second slots (44, 42) are provided in the camsurface (30) of the cam member (12).
 4. A seat arrangement as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the cam surface (30) comprises an edge of the earnmember (12).
 5. A scat arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein thecam surface (30) has stop means (40) for contacting the first portion ofthe slider to limit rotation of the cam member (12).
 6. A scatarrangement as claimed in claim 5, wherein, in a third position of theback rest (6), with the adjustable latching means (10) free from contactwith the striker means (18), the first position of the slider contactsthe stop means (40).
 7. A seal arrangement as claimed in claim 6,wherein, in the third position of the back rest (6), the back rest isfolded forward towards the base (4).
 8. A scat arrangement as claimed inclaim 5, wherein the stop means (40) comprises a protrusion on the edgeof the cam member (12).
 9. A seat arrangement as claimed in claim 1,wherein manual retraction of the slider (24) is effective, to disengagethe first portion of the slider from the first slot (44) to allow theback rest (6) to be moved from either of the first and second positions.10. A seat arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that thecam member (12) is spring-biased (36) to create friction tending toresist rotation of the cam member.
 11. A seat arrangement as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the first and second slots (44, 42) in the cam member(12) are stepped whereby an inner portion (44A, 42A) thereof foraccommodating a striker portion selected from the first and secondstriker portion (20, 22) of the striker means (18) is narrower than anassociated outer portion (44B, 42B) thereof for accommodating the firstportion of the slider, at least one shoulder (44C, 42C) being providedat the interface between the inner and outer portions for engagement bya leading edge of the first portion of the slider.
 12. A seatarrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slider (24) is slidablyaccommodated in means selected from bearing and housing means secured tothe first member.
 13. A seat arrangement as claimed in claim 12, whereinat least one of the slider (24), the bearing and the housing means iscoated with a material selected from plastics, and other suitable,material, to facilitate sliding.
 14. A seat arrangement as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the cam member (12) is rotatably mounted on a boltmeans (16), such bolt means passing through a hole in the cam member andsecured relative to the first member.
 15. A seat arrangement as claimedin claim 1, wherein the cam member (12) comprises a metal selected fromsteel and a suitable alloy.
 16. A seat arrangement as claimed in claim15, wherein the cam member (12) is coated with a plastics material. 17.A seat arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustablelatching means (10) is provide at at least one side of the first member.18. A seat arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the striker means(18) comprises an elongate striker loop having first and second opposedend regions (20, 22).
 19. A seat arrangement as claimed in claim 1,wherein the striker means (18) comprises a plurality of striker pins(20, 22).